Journalist Portfolio

The Myths Around Gay Sex & Disability

Published: 18/05/2017

Josh Hepple is an aspiring solicitor with three law degrees. He specialises in international gay criminal law, has worked with numerous esteemed firms, and volunteers his free time with human rights organisations such as Amnesty International. As someone with severe cerebral palsy, who requires assistance 24/7, he also offers disability equality training to companies. Hobbies include riding ponies.

He’s an accomplished freelance writer too, focusing on international anti-homosexuality laws and more recently on prejudice against disabled people. Establishing himself as a commentator wasn’t easy though. Despite possessing extensive first-hand expertise in both areas, for a long time his pitches were largely ignored. But in December last year, The Guardian commissioned him to discuss his Grindr experiences as a gay, disabled man. “I have a good sex life and really enjoy challenging men’s conceptions of disability,” he wrote, recounting the rewarding, liberating encounters he’s had since downloading the app 18 months ago — about 60 of them.

In the end, all it took for Josh to have his freelance writing published was to say that he led a healthy sex life, one that’s no different to that of many non-disabled gay men. Now everyone wants to hear from him.